1991 Oldsmobile Cutlass 1991 Oldsmobile Cutlass Ciera engin

Tiny
UFCPRIDE04
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  • 1991 OLDSMOBILE CUTLASS
Engine Performance problem
1991 Oldsmobile Cutlass 6 cyl Automatic 175, 00 miles

I'll try to explain my issue as detailed as possible. When I'm driving the car will seem to go back and forth from having full power and being normal, and then seems to some like a clicking noise and drive like its not getting gas or something, it drives with no power. It also does this at a stop light or when idle and it will often cut out and I have to restart. Sometimes it will make like a whistling sound when it cuts out. And even then I've had trouble starting it a couple times, once stuck in the middle of a road for about 5 minutes until it finally started. Even holding down the gas when starting, it seemed like it wasn't getting gas. It will flip back and forth between running normal and running messed up like that, and the check engine light will be on when it does it and the spedometer will go to zero when its messed up, and jerk back to normal when its running well, back and forth.

I also pulled the codes off the diagnostic system, and this is what they flashed. I'll list the definitions from my repair manual with them too:

14 - Coolant sensor or circuit, high temperature indicated

15 - Coolant sensor or circuit, low temperature indicated

16 - System voltage out of range

21 - Throttle Position Sensor (TPS) or circuit - voltage high

22 - Throttle Position Sensor (TPS) or circuit - voltage low

28 - Quad Driver module circuit

34 (two listed under 34 in the book here)
34 - Manifold Absolute Pressure (MAP) sensor signal voltage low
34 - Mass Air Flow (MAF) sensor signal - low airflow indicated

38 - Brake switch circuit

42 - Bypass or Electronic Spark Timing (EST) circuit

Hopefully that helps, I appreciate any advice!
Wednesday, June 4th, 2008 AT 10:32 PM

3 Replies

Tiny
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I would scan the computer and see what the coolant temp is reading. This sensor (when it fails) will set a default temp of -40*. This is done to prevent a lean mixture.
If it is reading very low, then I would change it and it may clear up some other codes, otherwise you may have a bad ECM.
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Thursday, June 5th, 2008 AT 5:06 AM
Tiny
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Thanks for the info. What would I need to scan the computer? Just a ODB II scanner, and it would tell me the temperature? Note, this is a 91, so all I did to get the codes was use a paperclip to get the codes. I don't have much experience with a scanner, but if it would provide me more info I would definitely get one.

Although I'm not sure the coolant part would solve everything, its worth a shot. I've asked a few people and some say it might be the idle air control valve faulty the way it has gone out.
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Friday, June 6th, 2008 AT 12:44 AM
Tiny
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Thanks for the info. What would I need to scan the computer? Just a ODB II scanner, and it would tell me the temperature? Note, this is a 91, so all I did to get the codes was use a paperclip to get the codes. I don't have much experience with a scanner, but if it would provide me more info I would definitely get one.

Although I'm not sure the coolant part would solve everything, its worth a shot. I've asked a few people and some say it might be the idle air control valve faulty the way it has gone out.[/Quote:2169122242]

This car is OBDI not OBDII. Check with local garages to see if they can scan a 91 ODBI engine. Some auto parts stores scan cars for free, but it is usually OBDII.
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Saturday, June 7th, 2008 AT 5:11 AM

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